GMAT 740 - AWA 4.5 (38%)

[chaitu_suvanam]

Hi,

I've got 740 on GMAT (Q:50, V:40). Today got to know that my AWA: 4.5 (38%) and IR:7 (85%).

I'm planning to apply for Harvard, Stern, Cornell, Fuqua.

My Questions: Do I need to explain 4.5 on AWA? What do I need to do If I need to coverup for this low AWA score? How AWA score may effect my candidature?

Thanks for your replies.

[NextGreatLeader]

Congrats on a great score!

I'm not sure whether you need to explain your 4.5 or not. I'll leave that question for someone else to answer. But, I've heard that many adcoms compare your AWA scores to your application essays to see if you really wrote your own essays. Basically, if you have amazing application essays and a not so great essay score, things become questionable.

Does your current position involve significant writing, or did you write an honors thesis in undergrad? I don't think you'd need to write a whole essay explaining your AWA score, but if you're worried, it might be worthwhile to briefly mention your writing accomplishments in one of your essays.